1.2: Professional (Paid) Independent Facilitator
- Page ID
- 65689
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To comply with California and federal laws related to having your own business, please verify this checklist with your local business licensing agency. Typically, paid Independent Facilitators (IF) bill using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1099-NEC (non-employee compensation). There is something called the ABC test which helps people know if they should be a consultant (1099 tax filer) or staff (regular employee tax requirements).
Consultants do not have taxes taken out of 1099 pay, as consultants are not “employees”. Rather they are compensated for their work outside of employment. Make sure you understand how to file taxes as a 1099 consultant before you begin your journey as a professional IF.
There are independent facilitators who prefer to create an Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). Since that is a more advanced level of business, it won't be a focus here. There are resources to support small business owners to create LLCs. Talk with a local small business development organization or a local community college for support to learn what is needed.
Independent Facilitator Training Certificate
This IF certificate can be earned by successfully completing Taft College’s Disability Services independent facilitator noncredit certificate. IF training certificates are also available through different agencies throughout California.
Business license, depending on your community’s requirements
Contact your city to learn what your local requirements are. Sometimes there is a county license requirement, and other times the requirement is at the city office. In some rare cases, neither the city nor the county require a business license. Just make sure you are following the rules where you live. No one wants a headache later.
Description of the services you provide (mini-business plan)
This can be a description of the services you provide with your hourly rate. You can create a website, a flyer, or simply include the information about your services with your clients via email.
Sharing this information with the people you serve helps promote transparency and accurate expectations for all parties.
Setting clear expectations and maintaining boundaries will help you and your client work together and improve communication.
Professional liability insurance
Financial management services will ask for proof of your liability insurance to set you up for payment in their provider system. There are many insurance companies that offer professional liability insurance. The amount of insurance you will need depends on a few factors. Consider this “errors and omissions” insurance an investment in yourself, and a motivator to be even more careful with the lives and plans of the people you serve.
Everyone makes mistakes, but in this field, mistakes can mean big challenges for the people we serve.
On-going training
As this program evolves, independent facilitators will want to stay current with the updates, changes, and new requirements of the Self Determination Program. This can happen with continuing education units (CEUs) through a local community college, through mentorship funded through local volunteer advisory committees at regional centers, IF support groups run by regional centers, and guidance through professional organizations.
Knowledge of Updates to SDP, the Lanterman Act, and impacts of changes to Medicaid-funded programs like Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Many have likely noticed that the political landscape changes over time. Programs like California’s Self Determination Program are impacted by federal funding shifts and cuts to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and California’s Department of Health and Human Services. Changes to trailer bill language can happen annually, and independent facilitators should maintain current knowledge to best support their clients.
Keep current with funding challenges, but do not panic. This program is in statute. We can all do our part to protect the funding sources and the program as we learn to navigate challenging times together.
Providing good service to SDP participants:
- I tell clients what services I provide, and I share what participants are expected to do without my direct help.
- I share how to communicate and sign up for appointments with me through a Calendly link in my email signature.
- I have a business license from my city and professional liability insurance. These costs are tax write-offs for me, and I share them with my accountant each year.
- I attend as many of the DDS sessions about SDP as I can.
- I meet with other IFs regularly to brainstorm and learn as much as I can from others.
- I re-read the Lanterman Act. Yes. Seriously. Keeping information fresh helps me do my best for my clients.
- I apologize when I make a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. Humility matters.